Mechanisms of renal interstitial fibrosis: cross-talk between mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome

Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is the main pathological basis leading to end-stage renal disease, and is closely related to the prognosis of patients with kidney disease. Increasing evidence as shown that mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome play important roles in the pathogenesis of RIF. Studies suggest that inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome by activating mitophagy can prevent and alleviate RIF. This review summarizes role played by cross-talk between mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome in promoting RIF, so as to offer new perspectives on more effective slow the progression of renal diseases and fibrosis prevention.